Report: Wesley Woodyard’s First Free-Agent Visit Will Be With Patriots

BOSTON (CBS) — It is widely believed around the NFL that the Patriots are content to let Brandon Spikes walk via free agency. And it appears as though the team already has its sights set on a replacement.

The 6-foot, 233-pound linebacker has averaged 14.5 games per season since his rookie year in 2008. He had a monster year in 2011, recording 117 tackles, three interceptions and 5.5 sacks, all career highs. He followed that up with an 84-tackle, one-interception, 1.5-sack season last year.

Against the Patriots in last year’s regular-season matchup, Woodyard finished the game with 15 total tackles (seven solo, eight assists) and a forced fumble.